With basically no prep & 6 minutes of cooking you can make delicious Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer. Perfectly cooked and ready to serve with your favorite sides and sauces!
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When looking for a quick & easy dinner, there's really nothing simpler than frozen air fryer meatballs. I make a batch of my go-to homemade meatballs, store them in the freezer, and then I have a quick & easy dinner whenever I'm craving some meatballs.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's the best way to cook frozen meatballs
- Quicker than heating them stove top
- Super easy and done in 6 minutes - preheating is the only prep required
What you need to make them
Ingredient notes
- Frozen meatballs: This recipe was created with small, Swedish style meatballs. For larger meatballs you will need to adjust the cooking time - see tips & tricks section below for suggestions. We are using pre-cooked meatballs.
- Types of meatballs: you can use beef meatballs, pork meatballs, chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs
- Good frozen meatballs (if you're going for store bought) are Rosina home-style meatballs, Nature's Rancher Fully Cooked Angus Beef Meatballs from Whole Foods, Farm Rich Italian Style Meatballs and Trader Joe's meatballs
- Vegetable oil can be skipped, but adds nice color. You can also use a cooking spray.
How to cook frozen meatballs in air fryer
- Grab your frozen meatballs and vegetable oil, and preheat your air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C)
- Brush the air fryer basket lightly with vegetable oil
- Spread out the frozen meatballs in one layer
- Air fry for 3 minutes at 360°F (180°C), then shake the meatballs around and air fry for 3 more minutes. Check to make sure they're heated through, and add another minute if they are not.
Tips & tricks
- Preheat your air fryer for best results and the quickest cook
- Don't defrost the meatballs - cook them straight from frozen
- Cook frozen meatballs in one layer for an even cook. If making more meatballs, cook them in batches.
- Shake them around halfway for an even cook
- Cook time can vary with different air fryers & types of meatballs - see note below for suggested cook times
- Frozen food should always be heated to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature before consuming
- Don't cook them too long as this will dry them out
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but remember that they are at their best just after air frying
Recipe FAQ
For more answers to your air fryer questions, check out my complete Air Fryer FAQ.
Yes, they sure will - as long as your meatballs were cooked before freezing. I recommend making a batch of my meatballs without eggs and breadcrumbs and freezing for future needs.
Cook time will depend on the size of your meatballs and your specific air fryer. In general, small meatballs will take 6-8 minutes, medium meatballs 8-10 minutes and large meatballs 10-12 minutes.
If you want to reheat meatballs in the air fryer, and they are not frozen, you can reheat them at 300°F (150°C) for 2 minutes if they are small and 4 minutes if they are large. Shake them once halfway.
After the time is up, check to see if they are heated through, and add more time in 1 minute increments if they are not.
More quick & easy air fryer recipes
Enjoy cooking with your air fryer? Then you will love these recipes!
- Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic & Parsley
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon
- Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
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Recipe
Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer
Print RateIngredients
- 16 frozen meatballs
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Bring out the air fryer basket and brush with a small amount of oil. Then spread out the meatballs in a single layer.
- Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 6 minutes, shaking the meatballs around once halfway.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides and dipping sauces!
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Pastry brush* (optional)
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Frozen meatballs: This recipe was created with small, Swedish style meatballs. For larger meatballs you will need to adjust the cooking time - see tips & tricks section below for suggestions. We are using pre-cooked meatballs.
- Types of meatballs: you can use beef meatballs, pork meatballs, chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs
- Good frozen meatballs (if you're going for store bought) are Rosina home-style meatballs, Nature's Rancher Fully Cooked Angus Beef Meatballs from Whole Foods, Farm Rich Italian Style Meatballs and Trader Joe's meatballs
- Vegetable oil can be skipped, but adds nice color. You can also use a cooking spray.
Recipe FAQ
- Preheat your air fryer for best results and the quickest cook
- Don't defrost the meatballs - cook them straight from frozen
- Cook frozen meatballs in one layer for an even cook. If making more meatballs, cook them in batches.
- Shake them around halfway for an even cook
- Cook time can vary with different air fryers & types of meatballs - see note below for suggested cook times
- Frozen food should always be heated to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature before consuming
- Don't cook them too long as this will dry them out
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but remember that they are at their best just after air frying
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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